Celebrate Literacy on March 20th

All students and families are invited to help celebrate literacy at the Fifth Annual “Open Books, Open Minds” Literacy Celebration Fair at the SeaTac Mall on Saturday, March 20, 2004 from 11:00 to 4:00 p.m.

There will be contests, celebrity guests, live characters, local authors and a full day of family fun, along with a local cheerleading competition, a Battle of the Books contest demonstration, and literacy-related art for your appreciation

Mark Your Calendars

Due to our school closures for snow on Tuesday, January 6th and Wednesday, January 7th, Federal Way Public Schools will now be in session on Friday, May 28th and Monday, June 21st.

New ESL Service Offered

In order to enhance two-way communications, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program now offers VOICE mailboxes so that ESL families can call about attendance issues and/or any other concerns they hope to be addressed. Three interpreters will check messages twice a day at the following phone numbers and pass along messages as needed:

Spanish (253) 945-2473

Russian (253) 945-2382

Korean (253) 945-2472

Elementary

Choice Enrollment

Open March 22-May 10

The application period for 2004-2005 “Choice Enrollment” for elementary students is open from March 22 through May 10. All students who live outside the boundary of their neighborhood school must complete these forms if they have not already gone through the Choice application process and received a new permanent school assignment.

In-district elementary students’ choice applications are available at all schools and must be returned from March 22, 2004 to May 10, 2004. Applications should be sent or delivered to Paula Curtis at the Federal Way Public Schools Educational Service Center (ESC), 31405 18^th Ave. S., Federal Way, 98003. The elementary lottery will be held on May 17 at the ESC.

Out-of-district elementary students’ choice applications will be accepted from 8 a.m., April 5, to 4:30 p.m. May 10, 2004. These will not be a part of the lottery. Out-of-district students will be placed after the lottery on a first-come first-serve basis if space is available, before any other post lottery students. For more information, contact Paula Curtis at 945-2013 or pcurtis@fwps.org.

Eyeglasses Found

Several pairs of student eyeglasses have been turned into the office lately, and remain unclaimed. If your student has lost his glasses, remind him or her to check at the front desk.

Now is the time

Federal Way Public Academy

The Federal Way Public Academy will hold an Information Session regarding choice enrollment in grades 6 through 10 for the 2004-2005 school year. A New Student Information Day will be held on Thursday, February 26, from 9:00 to 11 a.m. Parents and interested community members may come to find out more about enrollment in the program.

For more information, please call 235-945-3272. The school is located at 34620 9th Avenue South, in Federal Way. Thank you.

Health Update

Whooping Cough - Pertussis

This year, as in recent years, South King County has seen many cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough). This is an illness that can be prevented with vaccinations. Vaccinations, or immunizations, work by helping your immune system recognize and quickly attack disease. Here is a “heads up” update.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection transmitted through close contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person. It typically causes a persistent cough, which usually begins with cold-like symptoms - mainly a runny nose, maybe a mild to modest fever. The greatest risk of spread is during the early stage when the illness appears to be a cold. Cough episodes may end with gagging or vomiting, may be followed by an inspiratory “whoop,” and may persist for 4-6 weeks or more. In adults or adolescents the only symptom may be the cough which is worse at night. The illness can be serious in infants, however. It’s good practice to keep very young children away from people who are ill and have a bad cough. Anyone with a persistent cough should consider seeing their health care provider.

Adults and children can get pertussis even if fully immunized since protection wanes over

time. Prevention involves ensuring that all children under the age of seven are up-to-date on immunizations. Have your child get the shots that help prevent pertussis. The recommended schedule: 4, 6 months, 15 - 18 months, and 4 - 6 years. Check with your health care provider if your child has not been immunized appropriately.

Colds and Influenza

Most of us are aware of a decline in reports of flu activity. It's not on the radio, TV, and newspaper like it was in the past few months. The number of deaths and patient visits for flu-like symptoms is decreasing. But the CDC has said "We know that flu is unpredictable and are hoping we're past the peak, but we've seen increased cases and new strains emerge late in the season, so it's important to remain vigilant."

Influenza is not the only respiratory infection of concern to schools - the common cold is huge. The main way that illnesses like flu and colds are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze infect others by moving through the air and into another's nose or mouth, or by touching infected surfaces.

Stem the spread of flu, colds, and other respiratory illnesses, like pertussis, by being a germ stopper.

· Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away.

· Wash hands with soap and warm water frequently and for at least 15-20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. The gels should be rubbed until dry.

· Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water, and eat nutritious foods.

Help stem illness this winter - and all year long. Be a germ stopper. Stay healthy and we'll see you at school.

FEBRUARY Calendar

4– Class Pictures

5– 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Concerts

2:20 and 7:00 p.m.

10– Mr. Brown’s Class

Field Trip to Airport

12– PTA Board Meeting 6:30

Cookie Day

16-20– Mid-Winter Break

NO SCHOOL

26– Seahawks Assembly

27– PTA Family Dance

MARCH Calendar

4– Cookie Day

11– End of Second Trimester

12– Teacher In-servicemmmm

NO SCHOOL

15– Waiver Day

NO SCHOOL

19– 4th Grade Field Trip

Olympia/State Capitol

Report Cards Go Home

Board Proceeds with Middle School Construction

The Federal Way Board of Education voted at January 27^th’s regular board meeting to reaffirm the new middle school project. This vote gave the go-ahead to the district’s administration to proceed with planning and

building the district’s seventh middle school at 32^nd Ave. South and South 360^th, on property near Five Mile Lake. With the go-ahead, the district can remain on schedule to construct the 750-student school by September of 2005.

The vote was originally planned for the meeting of February 10^th, but the board approved a motion entertained by Board President Ed Barney to change the evening’s agenda to take the vote. The motion to proceed with the middle school passed three to one, with board member Charles Hoff

casting the dissenting vote. Board member Evelyn Castellar was not in attendance.

“The district has verified that they can operate the new middle school without making cuts in the district’s educational programs,” President Barney noted. He added that, given the changing economic picture in the community and state, it was valid to look carefully at the decision to make sure it was a financially sound move.

Board member Earl VanDorien praised the community’s participation in the process, saying that they should “know that each email, each speaker at the forum and board meetings, each letter to the editor, each of you, contributed to the process.”

The district has applied for a permit to clear 13 acres of the 47-acre lot, Facilities Services Director Rod Leland said. Applications for the following stages, including building the structure and finishing the interior, will follow.

Community input will be sought as the process continues. Students, parents and citizens will be asked to help name the school and to serve on committees that will help create a learning plan, set new middle school boundaries, oversee construction and in other areas. Opportunities to provide input will be publicized through the local media and on the www.fwps.org web site.

Special Request

The oven/range used by the staff has finally become worn out, and is not repairable. If you know of anyone who may wish to donate their new or gently used stove, please ask them to contact the office.

Volunteer Hours

We thank our volunteers for their donation of time and talent in the month of January: 237 hours.